Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 363,000	[1],[2],[3],[4]	$ 375,600	[1]	$ 378,500	[1]	$ 370,800	[1]	$ 370,300	[5],[6],[7]	$ 370,300	[6],[7],[8]	$ 368,400	[6],[9]	$ 359,300	[5],[6]	$ 1,487,905		$ 1,468,305		$ 1,601,070
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc	$ (106,800)	[1],[2],[3],[4]	$ 9,900	[1]	$ 7,900	[1]	$ 5,400	[1]	$ 4,300	[5],[6],[7]	$ (423,700)	[6],[7],[8]	$ 21,600	[6],[9]	$ 15,300	[5],[6]	$ (83,588)		$ (382,464)		$ 112,580
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. Common Stockholders, Basic	$ (3.52)	[1],[10],[2],[3],[4]	$ 0.33	[1],[10]	$ 0.26	[1],[10]	$ 0.18	[1],[10]	$ 0.15	[10],[5],[6],[7]	$ (14.73)	[10],[6],[7],[8]	$ 0.76	[10],[6],[9]	$ 0.54	[10],[5],[6]	$ (2.79)	[10]	$ (13.33)	[10]	$ 4.02
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ (3.52)	[1],[10],[2],[3],[4]	$ 0.33	[1],[10]	$ 0.26	[1],[10]	$ 0.18	[1],[10]	$ 0.15	[10],[5],[6],[7]	$ (14.73)	[10],[6],[7],[8]	$ 0.75	[10],[6],[9]	$ 0.53	[10],[5],[6]	$ (2.79)	[10]	$ (13.33)	[10]	$ 3.95

[1] During each of the four quarters of 2012, we incurred certain costs associated with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Investigative Demand. Net of income taxes, these costs amounted to $2.2 million, $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $1.4 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

[2] Our results for the three month period ended December 31, 2012, included the settlement of a lawsuit in the amount of $2.1 million, net of income taxes

[3] During the fourth quarter of 2012, we incurred costs associated with the prepayment of the term loan and a portion of our existing senior notes associated with our March 26, 2008 Senior Credit Facility. Net of income taxes, these costs amounted to $2.8 million.

[4] During the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized a non-cash goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge of $110.2 million, net of income taxes and non-controlling interests.

[5] During the first and fourth quarters of 2011, we incurred costs associated with our exit activities. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Net of income taxes, these costs amounted to $0.7 million and $3.1 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

[6] During each of the four quarters of 2011, we incurred certain costs associated with the realignment of our operations and legal expenses related to the United States Senate Committee on Finance inquiry and SEC investigation. Net of income taxes, these costs amounted to $2.0 million, $0.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

[7] During the third quarter of 2011, we recognized an estimated non-cash goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge of $434.6 million, net of income taxes. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we finalized our interim test of impairment of goodwill and as a result, recognized an additional non-cash goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge in the amount of $3.8 million, net of income taxes.

[8] Our results for the three month period ended September 30, 2011, included a release of a valuation allowance related to specific deferred tax assets in the amount of $1.9 million, net of income taxes.

[9] Our results for the three month period ended June 30, 2011, included a CMS bonus payment of $2.9 million net of income taxes as the result of the pay for performance demonstration.

[10] Because of the method used in calculating per share data, the quarterly per share data may not necessarily total to the per share data as computed for the entire year.